Letters to my Congresscritters: Stop funding Israel

[kevyn]

I just penned a letter to each of my senators and representatives in Washington, D.C. (Sen. Maria Cantwell, Sen. Patty Murray, and Rep. Rick Larsen):

ENOUGH! Israel's recent behaviour in Gaza is completely unacceptable, and must not be allowed to continue unchallenged. This is not self-defence, it's retribution, and a war crime. I urge you to work to stop Israeli state-sponsored violence against Palestine, and furthermore, to cut off the flow of U.S. military aid and taxpayer money to Israel. I do not want my tax dollars going to fund Israel's oppression of Palestine any more.

I look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Kevyn Jacobs

It may be futile, but it's important for these people to know that their constituents are objecting to what's happening in Gaza (on our dime). Never let it be said that I did nothing to stop the bloodshed.

I urge my friends who feel as I do to write their elected representatives in Washington. You can get their addresses at http://votesmart.org by entering your zip code.

Comments

[aadroma.livejournal.com]

Never let it be said that I did nothing to stop the bloodshed.

At least you're doing that. I might not agree 100% with your views on Israel, but here? There's no point to all the bloodshed, at all, and peace in the region seems even further away.

At least you are standing up for something you truly believe in.

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

> I might not agree 100% with your views on Israel

If it's any consolation, I am far more harshly critical of the U.S. government than the Israeli government.

Response from Sen. Murray

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

UNITED STATES SENATE
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4704

January 27, 2009

Mr. Kevyn Jacobs
817 25th Street Apartment D3
Bellingham, Washington 98225

Dear Mr. Jacobs

Thank you for contacting me about the situation in Gaza. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you know, on December 27, 2008, Israel launched a major military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip with the intention of countering Palestinian rocket fire and significantly weakening all aspects of Ham as rule in Gaza. The rocket strikes on Israel and the resultant campaign in Gaza have resulted in significant loss of life, civilian distress, and economic damage. There has been increasing international pressure for a ceasefire as casualties have mounted. including a United Nations Security Council resolution which calls for an "immediate, durable and fully respected" ceasefire between the two sides.

Please know that I share your concern about the violence in Gaza and Israel, and am deeply saddened by the civilian deaths on both sides. I believe that the United States must work actively to support a durable. enforceable. and sustainable cease-fire in Gaza as soon as possible, and that such a ceasefire should be structured to prevent Hamas from regenerating its capacity to fire rockets at Israel. while also allowing for the lasting improvement of living conditions for the ordinary people of Gaza. Moreover, I believe that Hamas must renounce violence, that the lives of innocent civilians must be protected, and that all sides should continue to work to address humanitarian needs in Gaza.

During my time in the Senate, I have been a strong supporter of bringing peace and stability to the Middle East through a negotiated settlement between Israel and her neighbors. I continue to believe that maintaining peace and security for our allies in the Middle East is critical to our country's national security and to regional stability, and that this conflict will only be resolved by a long term peace process in which the United States plays a leading role. I look forward to working with the Obama administration to achieve these goals.

Again, thank you for contacting me with your thoughts on the situation in Gaza. The views of Washingtonians are important to my work, and I will keep your thoughts in mind if further legislation concerning Gaza arises in the Senate. If you would like to know more about my work in the Senate, please feel free to sign up for my updates at http://murray.senate.gov/updates Please keep in touch.

I hope all is well in Bellingham.

Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator

Response from Sen. Cantwell

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

UNITED STATES SENATE
WASHINGTON. DC 20510-4705

January 27, 2009

Mr. Kevyn Jacobs
817 25th St #D3
Bellingham, Washington 98225

Dear Mr. Jacobs,

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the situation in Southern Israel and Gaza. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.

I am deeply troubled by the conflict. Decisive action must be taken to end the violence and bring peace to the region. Families should not have to live in fear and children should not have to grow up rushing for the cover of a bunker. No community should have to wake up every day and go to bed every night afraid of rockets and mortars.

Israel has a fundamental responsibility to protect its people. Hamas must end its attacks on innocent civilians and close the smuggling tunnels that have served as the gateway for arms.

The stakes are high in this conflict, from the loss of innocent life to the impact on all children. This is a difficult humanitarian situation that should be resolved and I hope that a sustainable ceasefire will hold.

It is time for the United States to increase efforts to end the appeal and influence of extremism in the Middle East. Our new administration must work to lead the international community toward a new serious and sustainable peace process. Those efforts will result in a more secure and prosperous region.

Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter. Finally, you may be interested in signing up for my weekly update for Washington state residents. Every Monday, I provide a brief outline about my work in the Senate and issues of importance to Washington State. If you are interested in subscribing to this update, please visit my website at http://cantwell.senate.gov. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator